Jul 29, 2015

Kline describes handbags as “mysterious containers that hold private, often precious and important things.” Keep an eye out for several upcoming projects from xobruno, including a belt created in partnership with Tucson blacksmith Carson Terry.

By Laura Aguilera-Flemming

After moving from Olympia, Washington, to Portland in 2003,
Michelle Kline wanted to make some quick cash. To bring in the green, the
designer created several leather handbags to sell at a local holiday bazaar. One
of Kline’s bags ended up in Seattle, on the shoulder of a woman who wore it
through the doors of a now-defunct Capitol Hill boutique. The shop owner,
looking to stock more trend-forward products, contacted Kline in the hopes of carrying
her collection. Without so much as a production sewing setup or website, Kline took
on her first wholesale account and jumped headfirst into the world of product
design and manufacturing..

Kline’s brand, xobruno, is a tribute to her maternal
grandmother, whose maiden name was Bruno. Her grandmother taught her how to
crochet, embroider, and sew as child, and Kline credits her as a large
influencer of her current pursuits.

In March, Kline moved again—this time from Northeast
Portland to a larger studio in the Burnside neighborhood. Her new ground-level
space features a small showroom with a work studio in the back, along with big
windows that let in plenty of natural light. “I’ve always wanted a little shop,”
Kline says, “so the change was for the best. I couldn’t be happier.”

Each xobruno bag is made with hand-cut whole leather hides. They
are designed to be classic yet rugged and practical. xobruno’s current
collection is composed of 10 handbags, as well as several styles of wallets,
pouches, and cases for both men and women.

“Cutting into leather hide is like a game of Tetris,” Kline
says of her creation process. “Each hide is different in size and shape so I
have to consider the entire piece before cutting into it. I lay out the varying
pattern pieces in a way to get the most use out of the material and to avoid
large amounts of waste.”

“Leather, in my opinion, is one of the best materials for the Pacific Northwest climate,” Portland-based designer Michelle Kline says. “It's versatile, waterproof, and can withstand rain, sun, and cold. Our canvas is wax-infused, making the product water-repellent. It’s perfect for the rainy season.”

Jul 23, 2015

Goal: To transform the empty, unfinished attic of an 1893 Victorian
house in Portland into a serene master suite for a busy twenty-something
first-time homebuyer. Desia Graybill of Atomic * Design helped convert the
room, making necessary structural changes and cleaning up neglected finishes.
One important aspect of the project was leaving enough room for yoga sessions—the
homeowner is a frequent practitioner.

Inspiration: The theme of the space is "Yoga-Zen," and the
post-and-beam arch (a necessary structural addition) in front of the bed alcove
was inspired by the Duogong wooden bracket architecture of the Chinese Song
Dynasty. Elsewhere, existing rafters were replaced and stained dark to match
the new flooring.

Breakdown: When they started the project, the formerly neglected attic was divided by walls and
had old oil lamp pipes that indicated it was originally used as upstairs
bedrooms. Graybill reimagined the space as an open master suite with a new
bathroom and walk-in closet. “In order to open up the space, we had to
engineer the post-and-beam system,” the designer says. “Part of that was ensuring that the posts landed on top
of load-bearing walls and
footings all the way down to the basement. The recessed cabinets in the
knee walls were also engineered with new headers to support the weight of
the roof.” Sean Fields of SageFields Construction added insulation and
hardwoods for heat and sound absorption, and all windows were replaced
with new, historically appropriate
energy-efficient ones. Dark-stained wood throughout is a rich contrast to
the light surroundings, creating a
sophisticated look and steering the room away from “nursery pink”
territory.

The client’s mother took the lead with the décor, using a dusty pink paint to create a
serene backdrop for furniture. A Malm bed from Ikea is tucked into a
shallow cove with windows; its PRI Luxe headboard in Sterling Oyster is
from Wayfair. A ladylike Nathan Modern bench from One Kings Lane and airy
Ava block print bedding from Ballard Designs are elegant additions. Across the room, a small corner
holds a streamlined desk from Paul Schatz Furniture, while a nailhead-studded chair from Homegoods adds a bit
of edge to an otherwise feminine space.

Get the Look: If you have an older home, Graybill suggests hiring professionals who have worked with
historic structures before. “Be sure they are familiar with old homes or
your home construction style,” she says. “You want them to honor the era
of your house, be familiar with city building codes, and have
good-standing work relationships with quality contractors who share the
same values.”